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Urol Clin North Am 2019 May 4;46(2):215-223. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

Department of Urology, Indiana University, Methodist Hospital, 1801 Senate Boulevard, Suite 220, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. Electronic address:

This comprehensive review updates the advances in extracorporeal lithotripsy, including improvements in external shockwave lithotripsy and innovations in ultrasound based lithotripsy, such as burst wave lithotripsy, ultrasonic propulsion, and histotripsy. Advances in endoscopic technology and training have changed the surgical approach to nephrolithiasis; however, improvements and innovations in extracorporeal lithotripsy maintain its status as an excellent option in appropriately selected patients. Read More

BMC Urol 2019 Mar 22;19(1):20. Epub 2019 Mar 22.

Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Po Box 17666, Al Ain, UAE.

Background: Flexible ureterorenoscopy (FURS) and holmium laser lithotripsy is currently considered as one of the treatment options for large renal calculi. It has been shown to be safer than percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The latter can sometimes be complicated by the formation of intrarenal arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Read More

Medicina (Kaunas) 2019 Feb 26;55(3). Epub 2019 Feb 26.

Department of Urology, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Health Sciences University, 35180 Izmir, Turkey.

Remained or forgotten ureteral double-J stents may cause serious complications. Removing of an encrusted, forgotten stent can be challenging. We present our experience with heavily encrusted ureteral stents and discuss the endourologic treatment options as well as their effectivity. Read More

Urol Ann 2019 Jan-Mar;11(1):66-71

Department of Urology, R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Context: Analgesia during extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for renal stone is an essential component. It not only makes the procedure comfortable but also increases the stone-free rate.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of triple oral analgesic agents on stone fragmentation and pain relief in comparison to injectable analgesic agents. Read More

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2019 Mar;49(2):157-174

The Animal Medical Center, 510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065, USA.

Nephroliths are often clinically silent. When non-obstructive and of an amenable stone type, dissolution should be attempted. When problematic, nephrolithotomy can be considered. Read More

Case Rep Urol 2019 6;2019:1547437. Epub 2019 Jan 6.

Urology Department, St George Hospital University Medical Center, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon.

Subcapsular hematoma is an exceedingly rare complication of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) for renal stones with cases demonstrating evidence of active arterial bleeding even more so. A 49-year-old male presented with acute onset right flank pain two hours following ESWL. CT scan with contrast revealed active contrast extravasation consistent with arterial bleeding. Read More

Neuromodulation 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Neurosurgery Service, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain.

Endoscopy 2019 02 17;51(2):179-193. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

ESGE suggests endoscopic therapy and/or extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) as the first-line therapy for painful uncomplicated chronic pancreatitis (CP) with an obstructed main pancreatic duct (MPD) in the head/body of the pancreas. The clinical response should be evaluated at 6 - 8 weeks; if it appears unsatisfactory, the patient's case should be discussed again in a multidisciplinary team and surgical options should be considered.Weak recommendation, low quality evidence. Read More

J Endourol 2019 Mar 13;33(3):248-253. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

1 Department of Urology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California.

Introduction: Changes in the surgical treatment of nephrolithiasis, owing to recent technical advances and innovations, have made treatments more effective and less invasive. In this retrospective, observational cohort study, we identified the changing trends in the treatment of nephrolithiasis.

Materials And Methods: We included patients with newly diagnosed nephrolithiasis who received any treatment in the United States, including extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), and open surgery, from January 2007 to December 2014. Read More

J Endourol 2019 Feb 31;33(2):167-172. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

1 Loyola University Medical Center, Department of Urology, Maywood, Illinois.

Introduction: Patients admitted to the hospital with an acute, noninfected episode of urolithiasis are candidates for medical expulsive therapy, ureteral stent placement, or upfront ureteroscopy (URS). We sought to assess socioeconomic factors influencing treatment decisions in managing urolithiasis and to determine differences in outcomes based on treatment modality.

Materials And Methods: The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database, State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Database, and State Emergency Department Database for California from 2007 to 2011 and for Florida from 2009 to 2014 were utilized. Read More

J Endourol 2019 Feb 1. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

2 Center for Industrial and Medical Ultrasound, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.

Objective: The goal was to test whether stone composition and kidney phantom configuration affected comminution in extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) laboratory tests. Confinement may enhance the accumulation of dust and associated cavitation bubbles in the fluid surrounding the stone. It is known that high shockwave delivery rates in SWL are less effective because bubbles generated by one shockwave do not have sufficient time to dissolve, thereby shielding the next shockwave. Read More

J Endourol 2019 Jan 31;33(1):9-15. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

1 Department of Urology, UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco, California.

Purpose: To explore regional adoption of ureteroscopy (URS) over extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) in the state of California (CA) and to identify factors associated with this adoption over time.

Materials And Methods: We used the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) public data to identify URS and SWL procedures performed for renal and ureteral stones from 2005 to 2016. The level of analysis was the region wherein each procedure was performed, defined by the 19 CA labor market regions. Read More

World J Urol 2018 Nov 14. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Department of Urology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Kangda Road 1#, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510230, China.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of different treatment options for the management of proximal impacted ureteral stones (PIUS).

Methods: A systematic literature search using Pubmed, Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library was conducted to obtain studies concerning different managements for PIUS up to Jan 2018. Summary odds ratios (ORs), standard mean differences (SMDs) or weighted mean differences with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to compare the efficacy and safety of all included treatment methods, registered in PROSPERO under number CRD42018092745. Read More

J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 2018 Nov 10. Epub 2018 Nov 10.

4 Department of Urology, Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital , Ankara, Turkey .

Background: The prevalence of urolithiasis is nearly 20% and patients with urolithiasis constitute an essential part of the patients referred to the urology clinic. Many parameters should be considered for the management of renal stones and authors recommend extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), and percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PNL), as treatment options. Among these techniques, SWL does not require general anesthesia, has 89% success rate for renal pelvic stones: 83% for upper caliceal stones, 84% for middle caliceal stones, and 68% for lower caliceal stones. Read More

Transplant Proc 2018 Nov 16;50(9):2597-2600. Epub 2018 Mar 16.

Division of Digestive and General Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan.

Background: We have introduced and performed laparoscope-assisted surgery in living donor hepatectomy. The objective of this study was to investigate the long-term results of laparoscope-assisted living donor hepatectomy.

Methods: From 2006 to 2016, laparoscope-assisted living donor hepatectomy was performed in 11 patients (laparoscopic group), and conventional open living donor hepatectomy was performed in 40 patients (conventional group). Read More

BJU Int 2018 Oct 25. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Objective: To determine if patients treated with extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) are at a greater risk of developing diabetes mellitus (DM) than those treated with ureteroscopy (URS).

Patients And Methods: A retrospective population-based cohort study was performed of all ESWL and URS stone treatments done in Ontario between January 1994 and March 2014, utilising linked encoded healthcare databases. The primary outcome was the development of DM >90 days after treatment. Read More

Scand J Gastroenterol 2018 Oct - Nov;53(10-11):1399-1403. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

c Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Surgery , Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre , Hvidovre , Denmark.

Introduction: Previous studies suggest that fragmentation of pancreatic duct stones (PDS) using extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is associated with pain relief. However, the treatment may not be effective in certain subgroups.

Aim: To evaluate predictors of pain relief after ESWL in patients with chronic pancreatitis and PDS. Read More

Pak J Med Sci 2018 Sep-Oct;34(5):1070-1075

Ozcan Erel, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Yildirim Beyazit University, Ankara, Turkey.

Objective: Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is a non-invasive method that is effective at crushing stones in the upper urinary tract. Disturbance of the thiol/disulfide homeostasis, in favor of the disulfide, has been shown to be involved in the disease pathogenesis.

Methods: A total of 36 individuals that underwent ESWL had blood samples collected before ESWL (0hrs), 6hrs, and one week after the ESWL. Read More

Urol J 2018 Oct 8. Epub 2018 Oct 8.

Department of Urology, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Republic of Korea.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of early extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (e-ESWL) in colic patients with ureteral stones and the patient criteria for the most effective e-ESWL.

Materials And Methods: For 335 patients who were received ESWL due to ureteral stone, were divide in two groups: e-ESWL and d-ESWL by the critical cut-off point. we performed the sensitivity and specificity cut-off analyses to identified the critical cut off point. Read More

Dev Period Med 2018 ;22(3):260-264

Department of Paediatrics, Nephrology and Allergology of the Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland.

The aim of the study was to analyse the frequency and type of early complications of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and to assess the safety of the procedure among paediatric patients. The study is a retrospective analysis of all ESWL procedures carried out due to urolithiasis in 2009-2015 in the Department of Paediatrics, Nephrology and Allergology of the Military Institute of Medicine. Medical records of 170 children were analysed: 94 girls (55. Read More

BJU Int 2019 Mar 22;123(3):485-492. Epub 2018 Oct 22.

Department of Urology and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients undergoing observation of asymptomatic renal calculi and identify factors associated with stone-related events.

Patients And Methods: Patients with asymptomatic renal calculi electing active surveillance of their stones were retrospectively reviewed. Patients underwent annual ultrasonography and clinical visits with standardised questions regarding the development of symptoms or complications from calculi. Read More

Pain Med 2018 09;19(suppl_1):S12-S18

Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities, and Education (PRIME) Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut.

Background: Opioid misuse is a significant public health problem. As initial exposures to opioids are frequently encountered through the management of postoperative pain, we examined patterns of opioid prescribing following surgical treatment for nephrolithiasis.

Methods: We identified patients with nephrolithiasis in the national Women Veterans Cohort Study (WVCS) who were treated surgically by diagnosis and procedure codes. Read More

Tokai J Exp Clin Med 2018 Sep 20;43(3):117-121. Epub 2018 Sep 20.

Department of Gastroenterology, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.

Background: Treatment of recurrent chronic obstructive pancreatitis is pancreatic duct decompression with endoscopic drainage (endoscopic pancreatic stenting [EPS] with extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy [ESWL]) or surgical drainage. Despite the recent popularization of endoscopic drainage, treatment or stent removal is difficult in many patients. We compared the efficacy, safety, and medical cost of endoscopic and surgical treatments. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2018 6;2018:2790163. Epub 2018 Aug 6.

Technical University Munich (TUM), 80333 Munich, Germany.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of various therapeutic hip preservation strategies on patients with nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).

Design: This is a systematic review of previous literature and in-depth Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the clinical effect of various operation methods and one physical intervention (extracorporeal shockwave).

Data Sources: Electronic literature, for studies published up to December 2017, was collected from PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Library. Read More

Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue 2018 Apr;24(4):340-344

Department of Andrology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, China.

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (LI-ESWT) on Peyronie's disease.

Methods: From October 2016 to December 2017, we treated 32 cases of Peyronie's disease by LI-ESWT, with the therapeutic index of 0.09 mJ/mm2 and a pulse frequency of 120 beats/min. Read More

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2018 Sep;48(5):875-889

Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Spruce Street, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address:

Urolithiasis commonly affects cats and dogs. The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine established guidelines for the treatment of uroliths that reflect modern techniques prioritizing minimally invasive procedures with an emphasis on prevention strategies to limit morbidity and mortality. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy and endoscopic nephrolithotomy constitute some of the minimally invasive treatment modalities available for upper urinary tract uroliths. Read More

Urology 2018 11 1;121:74-78. Epub 2018 Aug 1.

Department of Urology, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA; Division of Urology and Urologic Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA. Electronic address:

Objective: To explore internet search trends data as a unique resource for monitoring online health information-seeking behavior. We utilized Google trends to sample population interest and search inquiries into surgical treatment options of kidney stones, and we examined the relative frequency of searches across the United States.

Methods: Google trends was queried via the Google Insights for Search (http://google. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Aug 1;2018. Epub 2018 Aug 1.

Urology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Kidney Blood Press Res 2018 31;43(4):1183-1198. Epub 2018 Jul 31.

Second Operating Room, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.

Background/aims: Renal calculi, or kidney stones, are masses made of crystals that affect people of all geographical, cultural, and racial groups. We conduct this study with the aim of comparing the efficacy of various surgical methods in the treatment of renal calculi.

Methods: Controlled clinical trials (CCTs) related to different surgical treatment approaches for renal calculi were included in this study by retrieving them from electronic English databases. Read More

Cent European J Urol 2018 12;71(2):186-189. Epub 2018 Jun 12.

Medical University of Warsaw, Department of Urology, Warsaw, Poland.

Introduction: Availability of flexible ureteroscopes is still limited in many countries and centers. Under such circumstances treating small stones pushed from the ureter to the kidney that pose a risk of symptomatic recurrence is controversial as it may require a number of surgical procedures to remove. The aim of this study was to assess the type and number of procedures used to treat stones relocated from the ureter to the collecting system in a high volume urological center with limited access to flexible instruments. Read More

Eur J Transl Myol 2018 Apr 2;28(2):7353. Epub 2018 May 2.

Hasheminejad Kidney Center, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Urinary system stones are the third most common disease of urinary system following urinary infection and prostate pathology. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) is one of the methods used to treat Urolithiasis where shockwaves are transmitted through skin and body organs and crush the stones into small pieces. This is a painful procedure which usually requires analgesics. Read More

Can Urol Assoc J 2018 Oct 28;12(10):313-318. Epub 2018 May 28.

Division of Urology, University of Montreal Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.

Introduction: The significant cost burden of kidney stones underscores the importance of best clinical practice in kidney stone management. We evaluated adherence to kidney stone metabolic evaluation guidelines in a Canadian population and the interest of patients with regard to prevention.

Methods: A questionnaire based on Canadian Urological Association (CUA) best practice guidelines was designed. Read More

VideoGIE 2018 Mar 28;3(3):91-93. Epub 2018 Feb 28.

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.

Oman Med J 2018 May;33(3):209-217

Lithotripsy Unit, Armed Forces Hospital, Muscat, Oman.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the factors affecting the outcome of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) in urinary stone treatment.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 235 adult patients treated with ESWL, for radiopaque renal or ureteric stones between January 2015 and December 2016. Patient's age, sex, stone size, laterality, location, density, skin-to-stone distance (SSD), and presence of double J stent were studied as potential predictors. Read More

Trials 2018 May 22;19(1):286. Epub 2018 May 22.

Edinburgh Trial Unit, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UX, UK.

Background: Urinary stone disease is very common with an estimated prevalence among the general population of 2-3%. Ureteric stones are associated with severe pain as they pass through the urinary tract and have significant impact on patients' quality of life due to the detrimental effect on their ability to work and need for hospitalisation. Most ureteric stones can be expected to pass spontaneously with supportive care. Read More

Minerva Urol Nefrol 2018 Oct 14;70(5):526-533. Epub 2018 May 14.

Department of Urology, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of emergency extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (eSWL) as first-line treatment in patients with acute colic due to obstructive ureteral stone.

Methods: Seventy-four patients were randomized to emergency SWL within 12 hours (eSWL group) and deferred SWL later than 3 days (dSWL group). Follow-up included ultrasound, KUB (kidney-ureter-bladder) radiography and CT (computed tomography) scan at 24 hours, 7 days, 1 and 3 months from the treatment. Read More

Dev Period Med 2018 ;22(1):88-93

Pediatric Surgery and Urology Clinic CMKP in Dziekanów Leśny, Poland.

Urolithiasis in the pediatric population represents a major challenge associated with both the diagnosis and therapy of the condition. Over the past 25 years, the incidence has increased. The average age of pediatric patients with stones is about 7-8 years and the recurrence rate is 24%-50%. Read More

Urologe A 2018 Apr;57(4):463-473

Abteilung für Urologie, Asklepios Klinik Barmbek, Hamburg, Deutschland.

Interventional treatment of stones essentially consists of three treatment modalities. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), in addition to uterorenoscopy (URS) and percutaneous nephrolitholapaxy (PCNL) is an essential treatment pillar and is the only noninvasive therapy option for the treatment of urinary stones. After a long period of ESWL being the leading choice in stone treatment, the number of SWL interventions diminished in recent years in favor of the other two treatment modalities (URS and PCNL). Read More

Mymensingh Med J 2018 Jan;27(1):149-158

Dr Prodyut Kumar Saha, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Ureteral stent placement is a common procedure in urologic practice. Forgotten, encrusted D/J stents represent a difficult problem for urologists. The major complications are infection, impaired renal function, migration, encrustation, stone formation and multiple fragmentation of stent. Read More

World J Urol 2018 Jul 15;36(7):1139-1147. Epub 2018 Feb 15.

Department of Urology, Ain Shams University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt.

Purpose: The extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) remains the most common first line of treatment for renal stones in the pediatric population. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the outcomes of the ESWL and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL).

Patients And Methods: A total of 108 patients younger than 12 years of age with 1-2 cm single renal stone (pelvic or calyceal) were randomized into two groups, each containing 54 patients. Read More

J Endourol 2018 May;32(S1):S117-S118

2 Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, The University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In recent years, the incidence of nephrolithiasis in the pediatric population appears to be increasing. This has placed a new emphasis on surgical management of stones in children. In the past, extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy was the preferred management technique for stones in children. Read More

Med Clin North Am 2018 Mar 9;102(2):265-277. Epub 2017 Dec 9.

Department of Urology, The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Marburg 134, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.

Clinical suspicion of urolithiasis should be evaluated with low-dose computed tomography as the first-line imaging modality for nonpregnant, adult patients. A period of observation may be appropriate for ureteral stones less than 10 mm, and medical expulsive therapy may be beneficial for facilitating passage of distal ureteral stones. Regardless of stone type, patients should adhere to a low-sodium diet and attempt to achieve a urine volume of more than 2. Read More

Arab J Urol 2017 Dec 12;15(4):294-298. Epub 2017 Nov 12.

Department of Anesthesiology, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and advantages of ultra-mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (UM-PCNL) versus standard PCNL (S-PCNL), as one of the most important differences between the various PCNL techniques is the size of the renal access, which contributes to the broad spectrum of complications and outcomes.

Patients And Methods: This clinical randomised trial was conducted in 2016. In all, 70 patients with renal or upper ureteric stones of 10-20 mm in diameter, who were candidates for PCNL, were divided equally into two groups. Read More

J Endourol 2018 03 9;32(3):223-229. Epub 2018 Jan 9.

2 School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hung Hom, Hong Kong .

Introduction And Objective: This prospective study aimed to evaluate the effect of ramping and pause protocols on renal fibrosis, blood pressure control, and renal function in patients receiving extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL).

Patients And Methods: This study prospectively recruited 320 patients with solitary radiopaque renal stones <15 mm in size. Patients were randomized to receive one of four shockwave protocols: (1) standard protocol (no ramping or pause); (2) ramping protocol alone; (3) ramping and pause protocols; or (4) pause protocol alone. Read More

World J Urol 2018 Feb 1;36(2):293-298. Epub 2017 Dec 1.

Department of Urology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Urology, Guangzhou, 510230, China.

Objective: To asset the efficacy and safety of EPVL plus ESWL compared with ESWL alone for the treatment of simple upper urinary stones (< 15 mm).

Materials And Methods: All patients with upper urinary stones (< 15 mm) were prospectively randomized into two groups. In treatment group, patients were assigned to immediate EPVL after ESWL, while in control group, ESWL alone was offered. Read More

Urolithiasis 2018 Feb 25;46(1):3-17. Epub 2017 Nov 25.

Division of Urology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

It is well recognized that the popularity of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL), despite its non-invasive character, has decreased during recent years. This is partly explained by the technological achievements in endoscopy and urologists' enthusiasm for such procedures. Another explanation is that many urologists have been insufficiently successful with SWL. Read More

Urologiia 2017 Oct(5):5-8

Department of Urology and Human Reproductive Health with the Course of Pediatric Urology-Andrology, Faculty of AT and PRS, Rostov Stata Medical University of Minzdrav of Russia, Rostov on Don, Russia.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has proven efficacy in the treatment of proximal ureteral stones. The research to date has not been able to establish real time to spontaneous stone clearance after ESWL and the appropriateness and effectiveness of -blockers in stimulating residual stone clearance after ESWL.

Aim: To conduct a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of ESWL in treating proximal ureteral stones and determine the appropriateness of using -blockers to stimulate residual stone clearance. Read More

J Endourol Case Rep 2017 1;3(1):101. Epub 2017 Aug 1.

Urology Department, Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkiye.

Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018 Jun 24;16(6):918-926.e1. Epub 2017 Oct 24.

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. Electronic address:

Background & Aims: It is not clear whether digital single-operator cholangioscopy (D-SOC) with electrohydraulic and laser lithotripsy is effective in removal of difficult biliary stones. We investigated the safety and efficacy of D-SOC with electrohydraulic and laser lithotripsy in an international, multicenter study of patients with difficult biliary stones.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 407 patients (60. Read More

Arab J Urol 2017 Jun 7;15(2):94-99. Epub 2017 Apr 7.

Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Department of Urology, Izmir, Turkey.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of previous unsuccessful extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) treatment on the performance and outcome of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Patients And Methods: Of 1625 PCNL procedures performed in our clinic, 393 renal units with similar stone burden and number of accesses was included in the present study. We categorised the study patients into two groups according to whether they underwent ESWL within 1 year prior to PCNL or not. Read More